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Meet Catalina
Catalina was born at 25 weeks’ gestation and weighed just 1 pound 5 ounces.
Catalina was born at 25 weeks’ gestation, weighing just 1 pound 5 ounces. Due to her premature birth, Catalina was born with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and respiratory distress (under-developed lungs). ROP is a condition in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eye which can leak or bleed, ultimately causing scarring of the retina. When the scars shrink, they can pull on the retina, detaching it from the back of the eye. In severe cases, this leads to vision loss and even blindness. She has been on oxygen since birth to help her breathing as her fragile lungs develop.
Catalina has two siblings, a 1 year and 2-1/2 year old brothers. The 2-1/2 year old sibling was recently diagnosed with autism and is receiving speech, physical, and occupational therapy three times a week.
Catalina’s mom, Angelica, is presently in school working to complete her GED. She was working but was put on bed rest due to her complicated pregnancy. She is juggling so much with 3 children under the age of 3 years; especially with a vulnerable newborn who requires many follow-up doctor appointments. Angelica needs to be home when her children have therapy and is unable to work during those times which means she doesn’t get paid.
After 8 weeks of hospitalization, Catalina was recently released home and weighed 7 lbs 8 oz! However, Catalina has many follow-up appointments with a Pediatric Opthamologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a Pediatric Pulmonologist in Santa Barbara and Early Start to monitor any developmental delays. Angelica’s children motivate her to keep going. Some days are harder than others but at the end of the day she does all of this for her family.
Hearts Aligned helped Catalina and her family with food vouchers and gas cards while they have been at the hospital the past 2 months. We will continue to work with the family as Catalina is in need of many baby items such as a car seat, bassinet, bottles, diapers, etc. as well as just finding a new normal as her children continue to follow up
You can help Catalina by making a donation today.
Thank you for your support!